Cytarabin
LogP

Cytarabin
Dosage Forms

Cytarabin
Indication

Cytarabin
Pharmacology

Cytarabine is an antineoplastic anti-metabolite used in the treatment of several forms of leukemia including acute myelogenous leukemia and meningeal leukemia. Anti-metabolites masquerade as purine or pyrimidine - which become the building blocks of DNA. They prevent these substances becoming incorporated in to DNA during the "S" phase (of the cell cycle), stopping normal development and division. Cytarabine is metabolized intracellularly into its active triphosphate form (cytosine arabinoside triphosphate). This metabolite then damages DNA by multiple mechanisms, including the inhibition of alpha-DNA polymerase, inhibition of DNA repair through an effect on beta-DNA polymerase, and incorporation into DNA. The latter mechanism is probably the most important. Cytotoxicity is highly specific for the S phase of the cell cycle.

Cytarabin
Absorption

Less than 20% of the orally administered dose is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Cytarabin
side effects and Toxicity

Cytarabin
Patient Information

This medicine is a type of chemotherapy for treating cancers of the
blood and certain other cancers. This medicine interfers with the
way cancer cells grow, Take your doses on a regular scheduled time
and DO NOT take this medicine more often than directed by your health
care provider. Finish the full course prescribed by your health care
provider. DO NOT stop taking this medicine unless diredted to do so
by your health care provider. While taking this medicine, you make
get infection more easily. Call your doctor if you get a fever, chills,
or sore throat. Drink plenty of water with this medicine.